Antiracism Work with Preschoolers

We have been sharing some antiracism and social justice resources over the past month that have come our way. You can access these resources in the compiled blog posts link at the bottom of this post.

Some resources that we have seen lately are important to highlight especially in providing programs, services and collections to preschoolers and thinking about talking to our youngest children about race or helping support families with young children  as they address racism.

They're Not Too Young to Talk About Race
This graphic from the Children's Community School In Philadelphia is an excellent place to begin raising awareness and learning about the importance of talking about race with young children.

Diverse BookFinder for picture books 
As described in Tessa Michaelson Schmitt's recent Friday FAQ:
"The Diverse BookFinder's free, online Collection Analysis Tool (CAT) for public and school libraries -- funded by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services -- offers an analysis of which racial/cultural groups are represented, and how they are represented, in your current picture book collection." You can signup for their newsletter here: sign up"

Photo - ALSC Virtual Storytime Services Guide

Serving Diverse Children and Families section of ALSC's  new Virtual Storytime Services Guide

In 70 powerful pages, a wide range of issues are explored and resources and guidance provided to empower librarians to make their storytimes more inclusive, more diverse and more just. The sections include:

• COVID-19, Racism and Xenophobia

• African American Children and Families

• Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Children and Families

• Children and Families with Disabilities

• Latinx Children and Families

• LGBTQ+ Children and Families

• Native/Indigenous Children and Families

• Serving Families Across the Digital Divide

Join the Movement #FamilySummer4Black Lives
Seen on the blog Books for Littles, three monthly actions are being planned to engage families in anti-racism work. The first, coming up this weekend, involves families creating cards and "To Minneapolis with Live - Love Letters 4 Black Lives." It's a great way to work in the larger community to support Black Lives and communities and social justice work.

For more information on anti-racism and activism resources, please see these additional YSS posts:

• Race, Justice, Kids and Libraries   5/28/20
• CCBC - Black Experiences: Affirmation and Resilience, Activism and Resistance  6/19/20
• CCBC - Race and Racism: Selected Books for Children and Teens  6/19/20
• DPI- Race and Anti-Racism Resources for WI Libraries   6/22/20
• Antiracism Work with Preschoolers  6/24/20